Lineup Prep: Wild Card Weekend
Wed Jan 11 9:16am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Kittle can keep it going this week
More and more fantasy owners are playing in playoff leagues, and for good reason. They are a lot of fun contests and leagues out there these days. We run several on our site. Your fantasy leagues don’t have to come to an end because the regular season is over. I highly suggest getting involved in a league if you can. It is a great way to get your fantasy fix a little longer. Plus, there are a lot of interesting formats for leagues, giving you a different fantasy dynamic than during the regular season. So we’ll continue with this column throughout the playoffs, getting you ready for your games each week.
With that said, here are my random thoughts for the week. . . . .
I’m really excited to watch the Jaguars this weekend. They are a team on the rise with a lot of top young talent. It will be interesting to see how they play on the big stage. Trevor Lawrence was a little shaky last week, so I’m wondering how he handles things this weekend. These playoff games can vault a players confidence in a hurry. I’m hoping Lawrence comes up big and balls out, keeping his progress going forward.
It really seems like the knee injury Lamar Jacksons suffered is pretty serious and he is in real doubt to play this week. You also have to wonder if the contract situation is playing into this at all for Jackson. Maybe he doesn’t want to risk anything without a long-term deal signed. Who knows? Either way, the Ravens have next to no chance to win that game this weekend if Jackson can’t play.
Here is to hoping the Bears use that first round pick this year to get the help that Justin Fields needs. Their offensive line needs upgrades and the passing game needs a lot of help at receiver. Hopefully, they can turn that top pick into a lot more picks to get Fields help. This is a big offseason for the Bears. I will be anxious to see how they handle it all.
I really do wonder how much of a negative impact Nathaniel Hackett had on Russell Wilson. He sure looked like a different quarterback after Hackett was fired late in the year. Maybe we shouldn’t give up on him just yet. The Broncos do have a lot of weapons in the passing game, so Wilson has a high ceiling if he can get his game back. Wilson surely will be a polarizing fantasy figure next season. I might be in on him for the right price, though.
I’m having a hard time deciding on the representatives for the Super Bowl this year. The AFC is really tough with the Bills, Chiefs and Bengals as legit contenders to go all the way. And I even think the Chargers are talented enough to make a run. So I really think four teams could go the Super Bowl out of the AFC. The NFC isn’t quite as tough in my view, mainly because the Vikings and Cowboys are limping into the playoffs. That leaves the Eagles and 49ers as the obvious choices. And it is hard to bet against the 49ers right now with that team playing so well. The big concern for me is Brock Purdy. Can he make the big play if called upon? So I say this with little conviction, I will go with the Bills and Eagles as the winner of their conferences. We’ll see how that works out!
News and Notes: Reports are the Cardinals plan to trade receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. He is getting older and has battled injury the last few seasons, but could be a big help to a receiver needy team. . . . .The Ravens signed linebacker Roquan Smith to a five-year, 100 million dollar extensions on Tuesday. Smith is now a mainstay in the Ravens defense for years to come.
HOT PLAYS
George Kittle, TE, 49ers. It took a little time but Kittle is red hot right now. He has touchdowns four straight games and multiple scores three of those games. And one of those games came against the Seahawks, who he plays this week. Kittle had four catches for 93 yards and two scores against the Seahawks in Week 15. Seattle has struggled against the tight end all year. The Seahawks allow the second most fantasy points to tight ends. Kittle is setup for a big game in this one.
Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars. Etienne struggled his last game, rushing seven time for just 17 yards. but that was against a good Titans rush defense. He had at least 13 fantasy points three straight before last week. And Etienne had 100-yard rushing games two his last three before Week 18. He can get it going again this week against the Chargers. The Chargers allow the seventh most fantasy points to running backs and rank 28th overall against the rush.
Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs. Godwin topped 100 receptions for the first time in his career this season. And this was a year he was coming off a torn ACL and missed a couple games because of injury. He is clearly healthy and the top target in this passing game. He has at least five receptions 14 straight games. Look for him to keep it going in the Bucs playoff opener. The Cowboys have had issues stopping the pass, so look for Godwin to get a workout. Dallas allows the fifth most fantasy points to receivers.
COLD PLAYS
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys. Prescott is coming off arguably his worst game of the season. He was just 14-of-37 for 128 yards and a touchdown against the Commander last week. It was an alarming performance as the Cowboys head into the playoffs. And he plays a Bucs team on the road that is ninth overall against the pass to open things. It might be another long day for Prescott in this matchup.
Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks. Walker had a great rookie season, emerging as the lead back and producing big in that role. He had three straight 100-yard games to end his season. But the game before that streak was against the 49ers, a game he ran 12 times for just 47 yards. It might be more of the same this week against a very good San Francisco defense. The 49ers are second overall against the run and allow the fewest fantasy points to running backs this year.
Tua Tagovailoa or whoever plays QB for the Dolphins. Tagovailoa really cooled off down the stretch before his latest concussion. He had few than 20 fantasy points four of his last five games. He also plays the Bills this week, a team he scored about 33 fantasy points against in two games this year. Buffalo allows the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks for the season. Tagovailoa or whoever starts for the Dolphins at quarterback this week is going to be a risk for fantasy owners.
SLEEPERS
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants. Jones quietly put together a very good season. He took a big step forward this year in an offense that really lacks weapons in the passing game. Despite that, Jones was 12th overall in fantasy quarterback scoring. He had 25-plus fantasy points two straight games to end his season and topped 20 points four of his last five. He has a great matchup to produce in his playoff debut. The Vikings have struggled against the pass all season, allowing the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Minnesota is just 31st overall against the pass, allowing 265.6-passing yards per game.
James Cook, RB, Bills. Cook has enjoyed a bit of an up and down rookie season, but is playing his best football right now. He has double-digit fantasy points three of his last five games. Don’t discount him to have a big game or two in the playoffs. You could see the Bills getting up big in this one, running out the clock late in the game. This could mean more touches for Cook, who might be playing better than Devin Singletary right now. The Dolphins are solid against the run but have allowed 15-rushing touchdowns this season, which also bodes well for Cook.
Richie James, WR, Giants. James has emerged as the top receiver for the Giants. He has at least seven receptions three of four games. He has topped 17 fantasy points three of those games. He also has at least 13 fantasy points five of seven. He is getting it done on a weekly basis. And he gets a bad Vikings secondary this week. Minnesota allows the second most fantasy points to receivers. James is setup to top double-digit fantasy points once again.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Chargers/Jaguars, Giants/Vikings.
Low Scoring Games: Cowboys/Bucs.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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The Paur Report
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. handled 20 carries for 62 yards to go along with three catches (four targets) for 68 yards as a receiver in Sunday's 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. Tracy played a season-high 72% of the snaps in Week 12 and had three of the four running back carries inside the 10-yard line, which is notable because veteran Devin Singletary handled all nine carries near the goal line in the past two weeks. The 26-year-old has now gone over 130 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back games, handling 23 touches in each matchup. Singletary was still involved, carrying the ball 14 times for 47 yards, but Tracy operated as the clear RB1, earning the goal-line touches and receiving work that makes him a much more appealing fantasy asset. Tracy should be viewed as a solid RB2 heading into Week 13 against the New England Patriots.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams has racked up nine touchdowns over the past five games after scoring twice in Sunday night's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Adams totaled five catches for 62 yards on eight targets and continues to put together a remarkable season. The 32-year-old could have had an even bigger day as nearly all of his production came in the first half, but the Rams' 31-7 halftime lead led to a more conservative plan in the second half to run out the clock. Adams and fellow superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua demand nearly all of the targets for the Rams offense, and with Matthew Stafford playing at an MVP level, both wideouts have been elite fantasy options. Adams will again rank as a solid WR1 in Week 13 at the Carolina Panthers.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) sprained his left (non-throwing) shoulder during Sunday night's loss to the Rams and will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Mayfield appeared to injure his shoulder after his touchdown pass to Tez Johnson in the second quarter, grabbing at it and grimacing in discomfort. He then made things worse on the final play of the first half on a Hail Mary attempt and didn't return for the second half. The 30-year-old quarterback was on the sidelines with his left arm in a sling for the second half, and the extent of the injury will be known on Monday following the MRI. Teddy Bridgewater took over in his absence and would be in line to start next week against the Cardinals if Mayfield misses time.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford continued to fortify his MVP case with a masterful performance in a 34-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. Stafford completed 25 of 35 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns, all of which came in the first half as the Rams jumped out to a 31-7 lead and coasted the rest of the game. The 37-year-old Stafford has built a solid lead as the favorite for the MVP award with a stellar season, accumulating 2,557 yards and 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions in 11 games. Stafford will continue to rank as one of the best QB options in fantasy, leading an elite Rams offense that also features one of the top wide receiver duos in football in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Teddy Bridgewater completed 8-of-15 passes for 62 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams, filling in for the final two quarters after QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) left the game.
Fantasy Spin: The offense struggled to move the ball in the final two quarters. With preparation for a full week, he might be better against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 if he is called upon to start. Mayfield's injury was to his non-throwing shoulder, so that's a positive sign.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints TE/QB Taysom Hill ran 10 times for just 17 yards, he threw incomplete passes and he was not targeted in the passing game in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons.
From TheHuddle
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley rushed 10 times for 22 yards and caught seven passes for 52 yards in a 24-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12. He also lost a fumble.
Fantasy Spin: Barkley had a season-low 22 rushing yards, but he did somewhat offset his struggles on the ground with a season-high seven receptions. Barkley continues to see plenty of touches, but big plays remain few and far between. He has become more of a high-floor RB2 with occasional RB1 outbursts.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints LB Demario Davis had a game-high 11 total stops with six solo tackles in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints WR Dante Pettis had a single 14-yard reception on his only target in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons.
From TheHuddle
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott completed 23 of his 36 passes for 354 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12. He also ran five times for nine yards and a score.
Fantasy Spin: The Cowboys scored the final 24 points to rally to win the game with Prescott throwing multiple touchdowns for the sixth time in his last eight contests. Outside of a rough outing against Denver, Prescott has been delivering QB1 results week in and week out.
From TheHuddle
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins completed 16-of-23 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints, and he ran twice for five yards.
Fantasy Spin: The yardage total was the highest of the season for Cousins, and he had his first two touchdown throws of the season in his second start. He remains more of a low-end QB2 in most fantasy leagues until further notice.
From TheHuddle
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins averaged a paltry 2.9 yards per carry and had 47 rushing yards on 16 carries in the 24-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, but he saved his day for fantasy managers by scoring twice on the ground in the first half in Week 12. The 22-year-old was not targeted in the passing game and has not caught a pass in the last two games. Judkins also suffered a head injury in the fourth quarter and was sent to the medical tent, but he was cleared before the end of the contest. The Ohio State product's head injury allowed Dylan Sampson to get some run late in the contest, and he took advantage of it by ripping off a 66-yard touchdown catch. Judkins hasn't been very efficient on the ground in the last three games, but as long as he's healthy enough to play in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, where he'll remain an RB2 play in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson has immediately become a legitimate contributor for the Cardinals and fantasy managers in the last two games with Marvin Harrison Jr. out following an appendectomy. For the second straight week, Wilson had double-digit receptions (10) and over 100 yards (118) on a team-15 targets in the team's 27-24 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in Week 12. Last week, the 25-year-old caught 15 of his 18 targets for 185 yards. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has latched onto Wilson as his top target with Harrison sidelined, making him a popular waiver-wire pickup last week. If Wilson is still available in your league, he needs to be scooped up immediately. It's unclear if Harrison will be ready to return in Week 13 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but even if he does come back, Wilson should remain involved in a fantastic matchup against a Bucs defense that has given up tons of yardage the last few weeks through the air.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara's (knee) MRI exam showed an MCL sprain, a source told Nick Underhill of New Orleans Football. Kamara avoided a major injury in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12, but it's unclear if he'll be forced to miss time. It's possible that the 30-year-old misses time, but he is not dealing with a long-term injury. Fantasy managers should expect Kamara to miss at least one game, which means that rookie Devin Neal would be in line for lead-back duties in a strong matchup in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. Kamara has been a major disappointment for fantasy managers in 2025 in a struggling Saints offense. He had only three carries for 11 yards and caught both his targets for four yards on Sunday before leaving early. Neal finished with seven carries for 18 yards and caught five of seven targets for 43 yards through the air. Taysom Hill had a team-high 10 carries for 17 yards and will also be much more involved in the backfield for the Saints if Kamara misses time going forward.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee) is believed to have suffered a sprained knee in the Week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He is scheduled for an MRI to determine the full extent of the injury, but the hope is that he avoided a major injury.
Fantasy Spin: If Kamara is forced to miss time, Devin Neal would be the biggest beneficiary from a fantasy perspective. The Saints likely would use Taysom Hill in the backfield for some trick plays. We'll wait to find out more about Kamara after his MRI results.
From TheHuddle
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) left the Week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams after hurting his non-throwing left shoulder on the final play of the first half. He is considered doubtful to return. Mayfield completed 9-of-19 passes for 41 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions with 19 rushing yards before departing.
Fantasy Spin: With a lopsided score on the board, Teddy Bridgewater is likely to finish up, as there is no sense aggravating Mayfield's injury further the game out of reach. We'll keep an eye on his injury into the new week, and we'll know a lot more by Wednesday or Thursday once practice resumes.
From TheHuddle
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney made an immediate impact with Drake London (knee) out in the team's Week 12 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Although Mooney only had three targets in the 24-10 victory on the road, he made his three receptions count, leading the team with 74 receiving yards and finding the end zone for the first time in 2025. The 28-year-old's 74 yards were also a season high. Efficiency could be a problem going forward with quarterback Kirk Cousins taking over for the injured Michael Penix Jr. (knee) for the rest of the year, but Mooney could have more opportunities as Atlanta's WR1 with London dealing with a PCL sprain. London is considered week-to-week and could miss the team's Week 13 contest against the New York Jets. Coming into Sunday's game, Mooney had exactly one catch in three of the last four contests. However, he'll be in play again next week as a WR4/flex in fantasy if London misses a second straight game.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) is doubtful to return to Sunday night's contest against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium due to a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Mayfield injured his left shoulder near the end of the first half of Week 12 and is unlikely to return in the second half. The 30-year-old veteran went 9-for-19 passing for 41 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the first half, adding 19 rushing yards on four carries. Mayfield's second interception came on a Hail Mary attempt with time expiring in the second quarter. The Bucs were trailing 31-7 going into the second half, which could play into Tampa's decision to sit Mayfield for the entire second half. Teddy Bridgewater will take over the rest of the way. As of now, it's unclear if Mayfield's shoulder injury is serious enough to put him in danger of missing the Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell had his second straight big game in his team's 31-28 Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears, recording 10 carries for 92 yards and six receptions for 30 yards on six targets. The 26-year-old has emerged as a featured player in the Pittsburgh passing game in recent weeks, recording 13 receptions on 14 targets over the last two games. Notably, fellow Steelers running back Jaylen Warren did not earn a target in Week 12. Gainwell also out-gained Warren 92 yards to 68 yards on the ground, despite logging eight fewer carries. While Pittsburgh is likely to continue featuring both backs, Gainwell may be eating into Warren's playing time with his recent performance. For the season, Gainwell is now averaging over five yards per touch. He's worthy of flex consideration for fantasy managers heading into a Week 13 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders WR Tyler Lockett registered four receptions for a game-high 62 yards on five targets in Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns.
Fantasy Spin: Lockett has turned back to the clock in his return to Pete Carroll's system. It's like an old blanket, easy chair or comfortable pair of shoes. Lockett is still only worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues, but that's way better than earlier in the season, when his value was non-existent in Tennessee.
From TheHuddle
